UAE School Timetable Remains Unchanged

No Change in UAE State School Timetable

The Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates issued a clear statement on August 23, debunking the false news suggesting that the official timetable for state schools would change in the 2025-2026 school year. The ministry emphasized that no official decision has been made to modify school schedules, whether in kindergartens or in elementary and high schools.

The ministry's statement highlights that the information circulating online and through social media is baseless and does not originate from official sources, thus being misleading. The authorities also urged the public to rely solely on verified channels and platforms of the Ministry of Education for accurate and up-to-date information concerning education.

What caused the misunderstanding?

The misunderstanding originated from some misleading posts on various social media platforms discussing changes to the school timetable. These rapidly spreading posts created confusion among many parents and educators, especially in the days leading up to the start of the school year when everyone was trying to coordinate family and school logistics.

To prevent such cases, the ministry strongly requests that the public not trust unsolicited sources and refrain from sharing content of dubious origin, particularly if they suggest educational changes.

The Official Timetable for the 2025-2026 School Year

The Ministry of Education confirmed that the timetable for the 2025-2026 school year remains unchanged, as follows for state institutions:

Educational Level

Kindergarten, Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Cycle 1 (Option 1) Monday – Thursday 7:15 AM – 1:25 PM, Friday 7:15 AM – 10:35 AM

Cycle 1 (Option 2) Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 2:20 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Cycle 2 and High School – Boys Monday – Thursday 7:15 AM – 2:15 PM, Friday 7:15 AM – 10:35 AM

Cycle 2 and High School – Girls Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 3:15 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 11:45 AM

This schedule not only represents a structure in terms of teaching hours but also supports school logistics and organizational processes, such as transport, breaks between classes, or meal time slots.

Why is Official Communication Important?

In the United Arab Emirates, official bodies – especially in the field of education – place great emphasis on transparent and trustworthy communication. The start of the school year is a sensitive period for every family, as it determines daily routines, work schedule adjustments to school times, children’s transport, and the scheduling of school preparation.

Therefore, even the slightest change can have serious consequences if it does not originate from a reliable source. The ministry highlighted that any official change is published exclusively through its authorized communication channels. Such channels may include the official website, the school year calendar, and ministry-certified social media accounts.

Digital Responsibility from Parents and Teachers

The case demonstrates the importance of digital literacy and verifying the sources of information in today’s world. Parents, educators, and students bear the responsibility to rely only on credible, official sources before responding to or sharing news with others.

The spread of inaccurate information can cause unnecessary panic, increasing the pressure on educational institutions. The Ministry of Education has repeatedly emphasized that unchecked news circulating on social media can severely threaten the stability of the educational system.

Changes can only occur officially

For the current and upcoming school year, there is no change in the timetable. The case highlights that any structural modification – whether it involves teaching hours, subject distribution, school year lengths, or exam schedules – is introduced only after a longer preparation and communication period, and these are always announced through official notices.

The UAE's educational system is becoming increasingly modern and flexible. However, changes are introduced gradually and in a controlled manner to not disrupt the daily lives of students, teachers, and parents.

Summary

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education has definitively debunked rumors about changes to the state school timetable. The statement aims to prevent misinformation and inform the public that the class schedule will remain unchanged for the 2025-2026 school year. The ministry requests everyone to use only official channels for information regarding future educational decisions.

(The article's source is a Ministry of Education statement.)